Art takes place within power associations and is always a political phenomenon. There are two type of political dominion in art but I’m more interested in the politics that deals with the struggle of meanings and power. In art, the artist’s intentions and the viewer’s interpretations meet and clash (whether it is coming from the public viewers or the artists’ community). Art keeps talking about values and ethics; about what is important or whose art is ‘artier’. That is why it is always a political struggle. Thus power for me is an unconscious tactical maneuver that artist do and create to get advantages over the idea of what makes them different. Thus most artists are actually inclined to take on a political quality, although we often see artist as detached from politics parse. We all must understand that creator of a work of art has power over the viewers particularly when the viewers do not use the power they are entitled to, neither questioning the given or trusting their own interpretations (which is for me another issue that needs to be discussed and looked into). But still, this is by no means a simple hierarchical position, as the viewers may disagree with and give their own observations. It may well be that an artist can recognise aesthetic triumphs while ignoring society, but to unruly disregard concerning social matters is ironically also a political position.

” I have my own interpretation on technology. ‘Light’ as a medium of communication is not alien to mankind. The Holy Prophet Rasulullah (SAW) received the first revelation from Allah SWT through the angel Gibrael (whom Allah SWT created from ‘light’) … I use this event as an analogy in expressing my art … Allah SWT, uses His creature made of ‘light’ (The angel Gibrael) in revealing His words to His beloved Prophet as the messenger (and ‘light’) to all of mankind”

I saw the hunger in their eyes when I met them last week. Eleven young and passionate art students, with fire burning in their belly, aspiring to be full-time artists. If those 11 were for real, it was definitely the mark of a new awakening in our art scene.

At first blush, the students appeared naïve and easy as ice creams on cones, but I was wrong. Dead wrong. There was more to these undergrads than meets the eye.

They call themselves ‘YA’, a play on both the phrase Young Apprentices and an affirmation to their entrance in art scene (ya meaning yes in Bahasa Malaysia). Thus, “360 YA!” group show was conceived as a collaborative step between the studio and YA group.

The idea behind the show is to shift public myopia and their fixation on established artists towards a network of young talents who are poised to become professional artists any time soon. But it won’t be a walk in the park. First of all, Threesixty Art Development Studio’s very act in plucking these students from their varsity and putting them straight into the commercial world is in itself a gamble, especially since this is the studio’s only second show.

Secondly, we will be the first to admit that raising new talents is not an easy task. They’ll get on your nerves, burn your energy, be crybabies and generally make a misery of your life. “Be careful when dealing with young artist, they are brats who bite the hands that feed them,” people say about ‘aspiring’ artists “They’ve got attitude!”

But aren’t all nurturing processes like that?

We are not intimidated, even while we are perpetually bombarded with these warnings. For once, why not let these kids swim in their attitudes, give them full license to rebel, tolerate their attack on our front and allow them do this their way? What’s the worst that could happen? They don’t even have enough confidence to stagger the art scene to begin with. Because I know that whatever attitude that they have, it is not borne out of self-belief. They still need us to guide them and be their support system.

Our studio is giving these young artists a chance to use our space as a stepping stone in entering the real scene. We are going to let them handle their first commercial show on their own. We are not going to breathe down their necks but give them total freedom if that’s what they need.

These 11 serve as a preview of what we have in store. Over time, we intend to inspire other art graduates, make them be part of the scene rather than dissolve into anonymity or doing odd jobs to make ends meet.

My communion with Young Apprentices group that Sunday was a testament to their commitment, interest, passion, ideas and perseverance all wrapped up in one. Honestly, I’m loving their spirit. Let’s give these new artists a chance. We don’t have to bend over backwards to help them; just invite them into the picture in anticipation of a new wave in the art scene.

ThreeHundredSixty : |Design.Development.Management| opens an art exhibition space and a commercial gallery at The Waterfront, Desa ParkCity, Kuala Lumpur West. It is opened to all, up and coming artists and will be presenting a group show 360>LoveArtPassion on 25 April 2008.